Howdy! Starter lizard advice?

[eraagne]

Hey, this is my first post on MFK but I was on AC for awhile. I wanted some advice.

I really am partial to big lizards . . . but I only have about a 2 1/2 w (maybe 3) x 4 l x 6 h area to house a lizard. Plus a big yard to build an outdoor something.

I do like beardies, cresties, leopard geckos ect. but I really like MHDs, Tegus and Savs.

But I want a lizard that will utilize height more then length.

I am considering a colony of female cresties or a water dragon or something else.

I want a lizard I can touch without stressing it though not necessarily need to hold it for long period of time.

Can you guys help me think outside the box?


I was at a pet store today and was playing with some baby Savannah monitors. They were tank raised and very docile. However I doubt they'd make a good first lizard pet.

 

[Wiggles92]

You don't have too many options for large arboreal lizards that can be handled as most arboreals are skittish. Keep in mind that the space that you have is at the bare minimum for a single water dragon, so you might want to consider a slightly smaller species. However, I think that it would be a waste of space to use that area for a group of crested geckos since they're so small; if you wanted to do geckos & if money isn't an issue, then a group of New Caledonian giant geckos (Rhacodactylus leachianus) would be pretty cool.

Savannah monitors are good first monitors by the way although you wouldn't be able to house one for life in that space. The main issue that people run into is an improper diet as many people feed them way too much meat when they need an insect-based diet.

 

[eraagne]

Well I was looking at my room and I don't really need a desk. I only use it to store crap.

That would give me 7 1/2 long (maybe 8) by 4ft wide by 6 high

Could I build an enclosure with a ramp so the monitor/tegu could crawl up the ramp and have twice as much space?

 

[eraagne]

Oh and what are large insects I should culture? Cockroaches?

 

[Wiggles92]

Well I was looking at my room and I don't really need a desk. I only use it to store crap.

That would give me 7 1/2 long (maybe 8) by 4ft wide by 6 high

Could I build an enclosure with a ramp so the monitor/tegu could crawl up the ramp and have twice as much space?

In that case, you're set for pretty much any smaller monitor or any tegu that you want since you'll have a nice footprint for them without the desk. Personally, I'd go with either an Argentine black & white tegu or an All-American tegu (hybrid) as tegus don't need quite as high of temperatures as monitors and also will be able to eat a wider variety of foods as adults (insects, meat, & some fruit).

Oh and what are large insects I should culture? Cockroaches?

Yes, cockroaches are the best feeder insects to culture as they're simple to breed, don't typically cannibalize, and don't smell too bad.

 

[eraagne]

Kay, thanks for the input. I'll do some serious research, come back with questions and add money to the pet savings jar. :3

 

[A. gigas]

In that case, you're set for pretty much any smaller monitor or any tegu that you want since you'll have a nice footprint for them without the desk. Personally, I'd go with either an Argentine black & white tegu or an All-American tegu (hybrid) as tegus don't need quite as high of temperatures as monitors and also will be able to eat a wider variety of foods as adults (insects, meat, & some fruit).

This.

A good rule to keep in mind is that the cage length should be at least twice the length of the lizard, and the width should be at least as wide as the lizard is long. Another good thing to keep in mind is that I used the words "at least". That means minimum. That does not mean you can go any smaller, it means you should aim for bigger. For say a four foot lizard I personally wouldn't go with any less than a 10' x 5' footprint, and bigger if I could. They will always benefit from extra space.
The height can vary, but it is good to keep in mind that a deep layer of soil is a good idea for both monitors and Tegus. Tegus will do fine without it, and while monitors can survive without it, they will never truly thrive unless they can dig and it should always be provided for a terrestrial monitor, particularly Savannahs.
Again, with things like large lizards it's best to exceed the minimums as much as possible as far as caging goes, so I would provide at least two feet of soil for a tegu or monitor, for some of the bigger monitors I would go with three feet.

I agree, a tegu would be best in this instance, though I would tend to suggest a Colombian, as the male Argentine and All-American tegus would get big enough to push the limits of your cage size, and you can't tell the difference between male and female as babies. If you are getting one that is of a sexable size, I would suggest a female Argentine or All-American as they eat a more varied diet and in general are not as skittish as Colombians. (Note the words "in general". I have seen puppydog Colombians as well as Argentine/All-Americans that were evil incarnate.)
Colombians do have a more meat-based diet, which is something else to take into consideration.

 

[Wiggles92]

This.

A good rule to keep in mind is that the cage length should be at least twice the length of the lizard, and the width should be at least as wide as the lizard is long. Another good thing to keep in mind is that I used the words "at least". That means minimum. That does not mean you can go any smaller, it means you should aim for bigger. For say a four foot lizard I personally wouldn't go with any less than a 10' x 5' footprint, and bigger if I could. They will always benefit from extra space.
The height can vary, but it is good to keep in mind that a deep layer of soil is a good idea for both monitors and Tegus. Tegus will do fine without it, and while monitors can survive without it, they will never truly thrive unless they can dig and it should always be provided for a terrestrial monitor, particularly Savannahs.
Again, with things like large lizards it's best to exceed the minimums as much as possible as far as caging goes, so I would provide at least two feet of soil for a tegu or monitor, for some of the bigger monitors I would go with three feet.

I agree, a tegu would be best in this instance, though I would tend to suggest a Colombian, as the male Argentine and All-American tegus would get big enough to push the limits of your cage size, and you can't tell the difference between male and female as babies. If you are getting one that is of a sexable size, I would suggest a female Argentine or All-American as they eat a more varied diet and in general are not as skittish as Colombians. (Note the words "in general". I have seen puppydog Colombians as well as Argentine/All-Americans that were evil incarnate.)
Colombians do have a more meat-based diet, which is something else to take into consideration.

I think he'll be fine even with a male tegu if he gets rid of the desk. Everything I've come across says 6' x 3' as the minimum footprint if you get it out for exercise a few times a week or 8' x 4' if you don't plan on letting it roam a bit every now & then. Besides, the extra height will certainly help give it more room to stretch out as well as allow for a deeper substrate.

 

[eraagne]

Yeah, I was just reading a book that says Savannah's require about 2 feet (at least) of substrate to burrow in. Because I am on the second floor they are a no go for the moment. I would feel bad though if a tegu couldn't burrow or dig either.

My brother is on the first floor and moving out May 4th so I could take his room. But it's got a smaller footprint then my room. I don't even know if I could fit a bed and a tegu/savannah enclosure. Although if my other brother moved out . . .

Plus I am a girl xD

Also I haven't read anything about making an outdoor enclosure? I have a big yard. However digging a big hole to put fencing in the ground might be complicated . . . but I have this huge ugly concrete slab behind my garage that would be perfect for setting up a larger outdoor summer home. It's probably at least 10 by 5 is not 12 by 6 or bigger.

Also would a 50 gallon Rubbermaid make a decent starter home for a hatchling? I'm confused on whether it's better to offer progressively larger home? Should I just section off the larger enclosure?

Also it mentions in the book I skimmed that Savannahs enjoy company? Are tegu's the same. Should I really be trying to make a larger enclosure for two large lizards? I always feel bad if my animals aren't at optimal care . . .

 

[Wiggles92]

Yeah, I was just reading a book that says Savannah's require about 2 feet (at least) of substrate to burrow in. Because I am on the second floor they are a no go for the moment. I would feel bad though if a tegu couldn't burrow or dig either.

My brother is on the first floor and moving out May 4th so I could take his room. But it's got a smaller footprint then my room. I don't even know if I could fit a bed and a tegu/savannah enclosure. Although if my other brother moved out . . .

Plus I am a girl xD

Also I haven't read anything about making an outdoor enclosure? I have a big yard. However digging a big hole to put fencing in the ground might be complicated . . . but I have this huge ugly concrete slab behind my garage that would be perfect for setting up a larger outdoor summer home. It's probably at least 10 by 5 is not 12 by 6 or bigger.

Also would a 50 gallon Rubbermaid make a decent starter home for a hatchling? I'm confused on whether it's better to offer progressively larger home? Should I just section off the larger enclosure?

Also it mentions in the book I skimmed that Savannahs enjoy company? Are tegu's the same. Should I really be trying to make a larger enclosure for two large lizards? I always feel bad if my animals aren't at optimal care . . .

Just curious, but why does the floor you live on matter for providing it with enough substrate for burrowing? As for the outdoor enclosure, I'd don't see why not for the summer as long as you make sure that it's very secure. A 50 gallon Rubbermaid would work for a little bit (maybe a few months, if that); these lizards grow super fast (some species can hit 3' in six months), so having the adult enclosure setup first is highly recommended. There's no need to give them company; these lizards typically don't run into each other in the wild except during mating season.

Also, my apologies for assuming that you were a guy.